 Eventually the traveling lunch wagon evolved into the roadside diner, which was intended to remain in a more or less permanent location. I had always been under the impression that diners like this one had been converted over from old railroad cars or old trolley cars. Although this was sometimes the case, several companies made and sold new diners in this style. Eventually, the big national fast-food chains like MacDonald’s and Burger King put most of the old-time diners and lunch wagons out of business. A few still survive however, and some of these have even been added to the National Register of Historical Places.  |
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Lunch Wagons #8
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7 comments:
Eric: This is very interesting. Is there anything you DON'T collect?
When I was a kid there were many lunch wagons on wheels in Nashville. We called them "Pie Wagons."
The deal was that if it was on wheels it was not taxed as real property; you just bought a license plate for it once a year. Same for trailers; even if you left it in a trailer park you bought a tag.
And now, all we have left are "Roach Coaches . . ."
Bruce the Clown
Jersey still has a fair number of
diners both old & new style that
traditionaly were owned & run ny
Greek families & there are still
a few scattered in New York City
The "Greasy Greek" became a very
politicaly incorrect but colorful
term (still in use) for some
Didn't the term Pie Car come from
merry old England (Sue please)
In some parts of the country with
a reasonable Latin influence there
are vast numbers of "Taco Trucks"
Old 301 through parts of Manatee
has more than sufficient density
I was in Line @ a Roach Coach one time, and a Guy cracked to the operator saying "Hows the Burgers today?, yesterday they tasted like Dog-SH%T!!"..The Operator w/ out getting excited calmly replied " You found me out Pal!, you found me out!"...
For Chic:
I am not so sure the term "Pie Car" came from England.
The first time I had ever heard it called that was on Ringling when we came over in 1968.
I do know that in my youth the Circuses called it "The Canteen"
I'm sure if I am wrong there will be some professors to correct me.
Sue
There are any number of beautiful to see, good food inside diners still in New England, particularly VT & NH.
Damn, I'm hungry!
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